USC Postgame Pressers from the UConn Daily: Paige, Sarah and Geno

[Centerstream]

Geno

 

[Centerstream]

Paige and Sarah

 

[Aluminny69]

So, Geno said in his presser," If we don't make more three point shots than our opponent, it will be very difficult for us to win." This is a variation of my observation " Win by the three, die by the three."

IOW, there is no Plan B. There is no reliable inside game. This is the weakest UConn has been at center that I can remember. It leaves very little, if any, margin for error, i.e. missed threes.

ETA To that point, UConn 3 pt shooting by quarter: 1-5, 1-4, 2-7, 2-7, or 6-23 26% overall. USC was 9-16 56%.

Paige, Ash, and Sarah were a combined 4-18 22%

 

[maple]

So, Geno said in his presser," If we don't make more three point shots than our opponent, it will be very difficult for us to win." This is a variation of my observation " Win by the three, die by the three."

IOW, there is no Plan B. There is no reliable inside game. This is the weakest UConn has been at center that I can remember. It leaves very little, if any, margin for error, i.e. missed threes.

ETA To that point, UConn 3 pt shooting by quarter: 1-5, 1-4, 2-7, 2-7, or 6-23 26% overall. USC was 9-16 56%.

Paige, Ash, and Sarah were a combined 4-18 22%

Well, we better get amazing at defending and making 3s, then.

 

[oldude]

It’s not just about making 3’s, although that certainly makes it easier. The biggest difference between UConn’s 1st half and UConn’s 2nd half was on defense. UConn had more steals and forced more turnovers than USC, particularly in the 2nd half when the Huskies did something we really haven’t seen all season. They played tight, man-to-man defense for 94’ on every possession.

I hope that when Geno and his staff view the game tape, they will see just how much USC struggled with their pressure and make a determination that is how to play the rest of the season. It’s actually the same way TN has turned around their fortunes under a new HC.

UConn couldn’t pressure for 40 minutes last season because they didn’t have enough healthy bodies. That’s not the case this season. With Azzi hopefully back healthy and Aubrey, UConn’s best defender, back in January, the Huskies theoretically will have 12 healthy players to run out at opponents.

 

[YKCornelius]

So, Geno said in his presser," If we don't make more three point shots than our opponent, it will be very difficult for us to win." This is a variation of my observation " Win by the three, die by the three."

IOW, there is no Plan B. There is no reliable inside game. This is the weakest UConn has been at center that I can remember. It leaves very little, if any, margin for error, i.e. missed threes.

ETA To that point, UConn 3 pt shooting by quarter: 1-5, 1-4, 2-7, 2-7, or 6-23 26% overall. USC was 9-16 56%.

Paige, Ash, and Sarah were a combined 4-18 22%

Aluminny69, you take a partial quote and extrapolate an overarching posture to fit your narrative. Geno started off the quote with "In these games," which you ignored. Could it be "In these games" he is referring to early games in the season against Top Ten opponents with an extremely young front court and 2-3 cogs in the wheel missing/limited due to injuries?

"There is no Plan B." Good grief - they came back from 18 points down to take the lead with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and then battled all the way down to the end!

It's Game Twelve for goodness sakes. It's not even Christmas. The team is still developing. The Huskies will be fine - have some egg nog and trust in the process.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Paige and Sarah

Sarah is not happy. I think Providence will pay for it next week.

 

[AmeriConn]

We are just missing that 3rd scorer against top teams. That would be Azzi and/or Aubrey. A little more help from the bench wouldn’t hurt.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Sarah is not happy. I think Providence will pay for it next week.

Definitely not happy. She's a super star and I hope she gets over this moment and realizes her power.

 

[oldude]

Definitely not happy. She's a super star and I hope she gets over this moment and realizes her power.

52 years ago in HS I missed the front end of a 1 and 1 with my team down 1 pt and 2 seconds on the clock. What was even worse is that our center managed to swat the ball back to me at the foul line, no one guarding me with a chance to knock down the winning shot……

Yea I’m sure Sarah will get over it……

 

[GoUconn7961]

Watching Sarah in this presser broke my heart and gave me hope all in one viewing.
She is going to use that free throw as a catalyst and I am here for it.

 

[Centerstream]

We are just missing that 3rd scorer against top teams. That would be Azzi and/or Aubrey. A little more help from the bench wouldn’t hurt.

I don't expect to see Aubrey as the 3rd scorer. She, IMO, is more of a defensive stopper, unless you consider Seton Hall a top team.

 

[reelfan]

STILL a bit of a mystery why KK was pulled out of game in 4th Qtr.

 

[JellyBean]

Sarah is a gamer and you just gotta love the type of leadership Paige offers. She has her teammates back no matter what.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

52 years ago in HS I missed the front end of a 1 and 1 with my team down 1 pt and 2 seconds on the clock. What was even worse is that our center managed to swat the ball back to me at the foul line, no one guarding me with a chance to knock down the winning shot……

Yea I’m sure Sarah will get over it……

How many years did it take you? Sorry @oldude. Bad joke. Couldn't pass it up.

 

[oldude]

How many years did it take you? Sorry @2oldude. Bad joke. Couldn't pass it up.

That’s the point. Over half a century I’ve forgotten a lot, but I can still see that shot rolling around on the rim and falling off….

 

[baggerbob]

That’s the point. Over half a century I’ve forgotten a lot, but I can still see that shot rolling around on the rim and falling off….

Yes but the next time you had a shot to make you weren't thinking about the miss. You were thinking about making that shot.
You don't have time in the moment to reflect on the past, just the present.

 

[Zarathustra]

How many years did it take you? Sorry @oldude. Bad joke. Couldn't pass it up.

I, too, missed a foul shot intentionally.... as with our "Strong" team, my
team (rec-league), "THE DESTROYERS", did not live up to their namesake! That
was well over 50 years ago... do you think that I forgot it? I remember who
was on my team, the name of the gym, and what end of the court my shot
was made on.... Ah, those unsweet memories of youth!

 

[Zarathustra]

Yes but the next time you had a shot to make you weren't thinking about the miss. You were thinking about making that shot.
You don't have time in the moment to reflect on the past, just the present.

Memory Lane thoughts:
You must have been a much better player than I (I was first "off the bench").
I distinctly remember "in the moment" at the END (seconds) of a close game thinking, after I got an offensive rebound: "Oh, s...,". Of course, there was also
the time when I got the inbound pass to score and put the game into O.T. Even
the losses, however, resulted in wonderful memories of the many teams and
teammates with whom I joined hands in sports combat!

 

[Zarathustra]

That’s the point. Over half a century I’ve forgotten a lot, but I can still see that shot rolling around on the rim and falling off….

"Oldude", I think that you and I must have been on the same team! At least in
spirit! See some of my comments: thread # 18 and # 19!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I, too, missed a foul shot intentionally.... as with our "Strong" team, my
team (rec-league), "THE DESTROYERS", did not live up to their namesake! That
was well over 50 years ago... do you think that I forgot it? I remember who
was on my team, the name of the gym, and what end of the court my shot
was made on.... Ah, those unsweet memories of youth!

Yup, those are the ones that linger. My high school basketball memory doesn't involve the ball. Way up for a rebound a tall, gangly blond kid came up under me and blew out my knee. It is amazing how vivid these things remain decades later.

 

[Geno-ista]

I don't expect to see Aubrey as the 3rd scorer. She, IMO, is more of a defensive stopper, unless you consider Seton Hall a top team.

You are 100% correct- if healthy she can help us lock down big scorers. Anything else will be gravy

 

[Huskee11]

You are 100% correct- if healthy she can help us lock down big scorers. Anything else will be gravy

She is certainly a defensive stopper, capable of limiting Watkins, Hidalgo, Rice, and the various other speedy high level perimeter players. Also a good rebounder, capable of playing the four in a smaller lineup.

6.6 rebounds per game in 2022-2023 and 6.0 in 2023-2024.

While she doesn't deliver on the offensive end every night, she is certainly capable especially if the game is played in the open court and she is capable of putting up solid numbers against quality opposition.

In 2022-2023, she averaged 11.3 ppg on 54% shooting and a total of 113 free throw attempts, second most on the team, making 79%. 14 points against Texas, 16 v. N.C. State, 13 v. Tennessee, 17 v. South Carolina.

In 2023-2024 she averaged 9.5 ppg on 55% shooting and 77% free throw percentage, including 11 v. UCLA and 25 v. Louisville.

In order to go deep into the NCAA Tournament, Uconn needs to shoot the lights out from three, and use its late season depth to pressure the opponent full-court for 40 minutes. If healthy Aubrey will be called upon to play a major defensive role. But she can definitely contribute on the offensive end as well.

(Take a drink every time I say capable.)

 

[baggerbob]

You are 100% correct- if healthy she can help us lock down big scorers. Anything else will be gravy

If she could ever be healthy she could be this teams gabby, they just need to find a Kia Nurse for toughness.